Heat shrink tool holder cooling cart

Abstract

A cooling unit and method for reducing the temperature of tool holders and heat shrink machine tool extensions to ambient temperature. The cooling unit includes a housing. The housing includes a cooling chamber disposed therein. The cooling chamber disposed within the housing includes a water tank. The water tank is capable of receiving a plurality of the tool holder sleeves. Additionally, a cooling plate is disposed within the cooling chamber. The cooling plate includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. Each one of the apertures is configured to receive the tool holder sleeve. The tool holder sleeve is configured to receive the tool holder. The cooling unit includes a chiller disposed within the housing approximate the water tank. The chiller is in fluid communication with the water tank. The chiller provides the water tank with chilled water to cool the heat shrink tool holders to ambient temperature.

1. A cooling unit for reducing a temperature of a heat shrink tool holder, the tool holder having a central aperture extending axially therein, an outer portion of the tool holder having a support member for supporting the tool holder on a cooling plate while enabling a reduced diameter portion of the tool holder to project into a tool holder sleeve, the cooling unit comprising:
 a housing having a cooling chamber; 
 a water tank disposed within the cooling chamber for receiving a plurality of the tool holder sleeves; 
 a cooling plate disposed within the cooling chamber, the cooling plate having a plurality of apertures, each one of the apertures being configured to receive the tool holder sleeve, the tool holder sleeve being configured to receive the tool holder, the tool holder sleeve having an inner diameter less than a diameter of the tool holder support member, the tool holder sleeve having an inner diameter greater than a diameter of the reduced portion of the tool holder; and 
 a chiller disposed within the housing adjacent the water tank, the chiller being in fluid communication with the water tank. 
 
     
     
       2. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve is variable in size and shape to accommodate a variety of tool holders. 
     
     
       3. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve is accessibly removably mountable to the cooling plate such that a portion of the tool holder sleeve formed therein is disposed within the water tank. 
     
     
       4. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve has an adjustable length. 
     
     
       5. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve is tapered for receiving the reduced diameter portion of the heat shrink tool holder. 
     
     
       6. The cooling unit of  claim 5 , wherein the reduced diameter portion of the heat shrink tool holder is in contact with an inner surface of the tool holder sleeve. 
     
     
       7. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve is fabricated from a metallic material that functions as a heat sink. 
     
     
       8. The cooling unit of  claim 7 , wherein the metallic material is aluminum. 
     
     
       9. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder sleeve is configured to accommodate a heat shrink machine tool extension. 
     
     
       10. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling plate is accessibly removably mountable within the cooling chamber. 
     
     
       11. The cooling unit of  claim 1  wherein the cooling plate comprises:
 at least one strut attached to the cooling plate for supporting the cooling plate in the cooling chamber. 
 
     
     
       12. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump disposed within the housing, the pump being configured for circulating water from the chiller to the water tank. 
     
     
       13. The cooling unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a blower disposed within the housing proximate the cooling plate for propelling a flow of ambient temperature air over the cooling plate. 
     
     
       14. A method of cooling a heat shrink tool holder comprising the steps of:
 a) receiving a tool holder sleeve on a cooling plate, the cooling plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of tool holder sleeves; 
 b) placing the heated tool holder in the tool holder sleeve, the tool holder having a support member for supporting the tool holder on the cooling plate, the tool holder having a reduced diameter portion for projecting into the tool holder sleeve; 
 c) maintaining cooled water within a water tank, a portion of the tool holder sleeve being disposed within the water tank; and 
 d) cooling the tool holder sleeve to thereby cool the tool holder to ambient temperature. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein step c includes pumping cooled water from a chiller to the water tank. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein step c includes measuring the water level within the water tank for regulating the water level. 
     
     
       17. A cooling unit for reducing a temperature of at least one heat shrink tool holder, the cooling unit comprising:
 a housing defining a cooling chamber; 
 a water tank disposed within the cooling chamber; 
 a cooling plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein which are each configured to accommodate a tool holder sleeve, the tool holder sleeve being configured to receive the tool holder; and 
 a chiller disposed within the housing approximate the water tank for selectively regulating the flow of chilled water into the water tank. 
 
     
     
       18. The cooling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a water reservoir in fluid communication with the chiller, the water tank in fluid communication with the water reservoir for releasing heat gained water, the water reservoir providing the chiller with water for chilling.